The Alien's Equal (Drixonian Warrior #7) - Ella Maven Page 0,52

ears.

I entered the fray in a crowd of Drix from the Great Welf clavas wearing gray and white arm tags. The drexel nodded at me before directing his warriors at a line of Kulks who stood blocking a group of Uldani soldiers.

I sprinted through the gates to a scene of utter war. Memories of the Uprising swamped me as I met laser fire, smoke, and the cries of dying and wounded. The metallic tang of blood hung thick in the air as I stepped over bodies of fallen Kulks. Luckily, I found few fallen Drixonians, and those were young warriors from other clavases. Many reminded me of Hap, and I was thankful he remained behind in the tree-line with Shep to treat the wounded.

A ferocious growl thundered up ahead, and a grim smile spread across my face. Gar. I’d recognize his war cry anywhere. A dying Kulk fumbled with his laser gun as I walked past, but he didn’t have time to fire a shot before I sliced his hand off at the wrist. Catching the now-free laser gun before it hit the ground, I triggered a laser blast into his eye slits. His lifeless body went limp and I trudged forward.

Rounding the corner of a few huts, I entered the large open expanse near the hub of the city. Since the Drix had entered every gate, most of the Uldani and Kulks had been pushed here. Surrounded by Drix and a few Kaluma, we were picking them off as their circle tightened to protect the Uldani’s top commanders. The royals’ pods had been wiped out. Some still burned in a cluster in front of the hub where they’d been shot out of the sky. The skyscraper buildings of the elite were severely damaged, many collapsed and smoldering husks of what they once were.

Gar’s massive form, backlit by a burning government building, hacked away at Kulk bodies, sending their bloodied bodies arcing through the air as if they were chits. Above him, Sax and Xavy led a troop of warriors on bikes, firing at stragglers who sought to catch any of our ground fighters off guard. While we honored any who wished to surrender, I didn’t expect many Kulks or Uldani soldiers to give up until they were dead. This was their last stand.

Civilians were not to be harmed unless they took up weapons against us—even the royal breeders and elite. Gram told me they had an emergency bunker where most of them would be hiding to wait out the war. We’d leave their fate to him.

Daz and Ward fought side by side, while Drak spun and kicked his way through easily a dozen Uldani soldiers. He’d barely had to use his machets—his massive fists doing enough damage.

A Kulk raced toward me and I didn’t even bother raising my laser gun. With a slash of my tail, I knocked him off his feet and then slammed my machets into his neck. I stepped over him as he gurgled his last breaths.

Daz glanced over his shoulder at me, hair flying and nostrils wide as he panted from exertion. His body glistened with blood, but he didn’t look like he had a scratch on him. His lips stretched into a grin. “Good to see you, brother.”

I pumped a laser shot into another approaching Kulk. “Back at you.”

“Nero!” Came a shout from above. Xavy circled overhead and waved a ring-laden hand at me with a smirk. “Looking a little beat-up there.”

Sax rode past me, a big grin on his face. “Had some trouble?”

“You have no idea,” I shouted. “Come down here and pick me up. I need a ride somewhere.”

Sax swooped down, and I jumped on the back of his bike as it skimmed across the ground. Clasping my arms around his waist, I directed him to Gram’s warehouse. The plan was for him and his soldiers to pull back once the Drixonian army entered and to wait for me to arrive so I could ensure their safety. They were, and the Drix had orders to kill all armed Uldani on sight.

Sax whooped as we sped through the burning streets of Alazar. While he drove, I took out a few lingering Kulks with my laser gun. After we touched down in the small alley of Gram’s warehouse, I swung my leg off my bike, wincing at the pain. I’d need to get myself some more medis. And soon.

Sax squinted into the darkness. “Where are we?”

“I had some help,” I explained. “This mission went